Srinagar: Doctors to boycott Zydus, Macleods, Intas, Sun pharma for suspending Kashmiri employees

Srinagar: The aftermath of the Pulwama terror attack has led to continuous actions and reactions on social sites. Shortly after the pharma companies suspended medical representatives for posting “anti-national” comments, the doctors in Kashmir have now decided to stand up for their fraternity and boycott pharma companies.

Medical dialogues had earlier reported that two renowned pharmaceutical companies in the country, took strict action against two of their employees after it was discovered that they were engaging in "Anti-National comments" on social media on the Pulwama Strikes. The companies immediately suspended the two.

Also Read: Pulwama Strike: Zydus, Macleods pharma suspend medical representatives over anti-national comments

Various media reports brought to light the immediate decision of pharma companies including Sun Pharmaceuticals, Zydus Cadila, Macleods and Intas pharma to suspend employees for posting “anti-national” comments on social media platforms. The companies also demanded a “show-cause” for their “grave and serious act”.

In response to the suspension of Kashmiri employees one after the other, working with drug majors, the doctors at Srinagar’s major Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital (SMHS) have been enraged and stated that they would boycott the drugs of the pharma companies if the employees were not reinstated.

“All the employees of Zydus, Macleods, Intas and Sun pharma, kindly make sure you don't message or call me or visit my room from this day onward,” one doctor at SMSH hospital told Rising Kashmir.

“I don't want to write a drug from these hypocritical companies who suspended Kashmiri employees but didn't take a moral stand at the human rights violations in Kashmir over last three decades,” he added.

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) headed by Dr Nisar Ul Hassan condemned the action by the pharma companies stating that the association had not yet taken any decision to boycott any pharma companies.

“An employee shouldn’t be removed for a Facebook post whether in private or government sector. At the same time, I should say if there is a life-saving drug from one company only I should not stop prescribing that,” Hassan told the daily.

The combined business of the Macleods and Intas Pharma in Kashmir is about Rs 100 crore per year reports ET.

An executive from one of the above-cited pharma companies commented on the ongoing matter.

“We are in talks with the doctors regarding this boycott. There is anguish in the state post the Pulwama attack. We are hoping this will settle down,” an executive, requesting anonymity told ET.

Talking to the daily the spokesperson of the Doctors Association of Kashmir Dr Riyaz Ahmad Daga, the association had not taken a decision to boycott any pharma companies. “But if any individual member wants to take this call, they are free to do so,” he added.

While an executive from Macleods Pharmaceuticals, requesting anonymity told the daily that Riyaz Ahmed Wani had apologized for writing a Facebook post that glorified the February 14 Pulwama terrorist attack in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel were killed.

“Taking cognizance of the same he has been suspended immediately pending inquiry. As an organization we do not support such anti-national sentiments and there is a zero tolerance towards such behaviour. Within seven days the inquiry shall be concluded, and a final decision shall be made, and if he is found guilty he shall be terminated,” the executive told the daily.

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